Chinese Zodiac for Famous Martial Artists

Guest Author - Caroline Chen-Whatley

Chinese New Year is one of the biggest celebrations in the Chinese culture. It marks the coming of a new year and the heralding of a new animal. The Chinese calendar is based on the moon, a lunar calendar. Thus, it falls on a different day each year on the Western calendar. The actual date is based upon the first new moon after the Winter Equinox.

In the Chinese zodiac, each year is associated with an astrological animal. There are twelve animals in all and the characteristics of the people born in those years are governed by their animal. The Chinese view animals very different from the Western world. As like the Yin and Yang, there is a balance in each symbol, a positive and negative side to each characteristic. For instance, the first symbol of the zodiac cycle is the Rat. While the rat isn't the most pleasant of creatures, the Chinese still value the creature for its wit and flexibility to survive as well as its ability to attain and maintain wealth.

You can use any of the free online calculators or calendars, such as TravelChinaGuide.com, to find out what zodiac symbol you are. Then come back here and see what famous Martial Artist shares a symbol with you.

Rat

David Carradine

Emil Chau

Dan Inosanto

Cung Le

Jean-Claude Van Damme

Wen Mei Yu

Ox

Wu Bin

Siu-Wong Fan

Tiger

Stephen Chow

Angela Mao

Ray Park

Michelle Yeoh

Rabbit

Jet Li

Anita Mui

Steven Segal

Bob Wall

Donnie Yen

Dragon

Scott Adkins

Mark Dacascos

Gichin Funakoshi

Sammo Hung Kam-Bo

Tony Jaa

Bruce Lee

Tony Liu

Chuck Norris

Snake

Brandon Lee

Yip Man

Horse

Jackie Chan

Al Dacascos

Jason Scott Lee

Don "the Dragon" Wilson

Vanness Wu

Sheep

Billy Banks

Collin Chou

Chow Yun-Fat

Ed Parker

Michael Jai White

Ziyi Zhang

Monkey

Frank Dux

James Y. Lee

Pat Morita

Rooster

Shannon Lee

Michiko Nishiwaki

Cynthia Rothrock

Billy "Surefoot" Wallace

Biao Yuen

Dog

Sibelle Hu

Daniel K Pai

Bolo Yeung

Rongguang Yu

Pig

Athena Chu

Wong Shun Leung

John Saxon

You'll see that that certain animals seem to have an abundance of people under them. There are aspects of that animal's characteristics which lend themselves to being Martial Artists. However, it is important to note that there is representation under all of the symbols. Also, as you look through the list you may notice that most of the people listed are actors. Interestingly enough, it was very difficult to find the birth dates of Martial Artists who were not public celebrities. It was even harder to find dates for some of the great influences and fathers of various systems, especially those that are surrounded by many myths and legends. I guess it's just not polite to ask a Martial Artist, 'How old are you?'